Philippine President Marcos has ordered a probe into alleged foreign interference in May’s elections, following claims that China-backed troll farms aim to sway voters and promote pro-China candidates, accusations Beijing strongly denies.
Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos has launched an investigation into possible foreign interference in the country’s upcoming May elections, following warnings from national security officials about suspected Chinese state-backed influence operations.
Presidential Communications Undersecretary Claire Castro called the reports "alarming" and said a full investigation would be conducted. The move came after a top National Security Council official testified in a Senate hearing about signs of Chinese information operations targeting the electoral process.
Senator Francis Tolentino presented what he claimed was evidence linking the Chinese embassy in Manila to local "troll farm" operations. He alleged that the embassy paid a local marketing firm to run online campaigns, citing a copy of a cheque he said was issued by the Chinese mission.
According to Tolentino, these troll farms were involved not only in spreading Chinese government messaging but also in covertly undermining the Philippine government and influencing public opinion in favor of pro-China candidates. However, he did not name any specific candidates.
China's foreign ministry and its embassy in Manila have denied all accusations, calling them false and politically motivated. They emphasized China's non-interference policy and accused Philippine politicians of using anti-China rhetoric for political gain.
The allegations come as tensions continue between Manila and Beijing, especially over territorial disputes in the South China Sea. The upcoming elections will fill 317 congressional seats and thousands of local posts, with key focus on the race for 12 of the 24 Senate seats.
China has cautioned Manila, the capital of the Philippines, against relying on foreign support in the South China Sea dispute, following critical remarks from the EU.
The Philippines has inked a $700 million agreement with South Korea's KAI to acquire 12 advanced FA-50 fighter jets by 2030, enhancing its military capabilities amid regional tensions.
China has rejected accusations made by the defense chiefs of the US, Japan, Australia and the Philippines, who last week raised concerns over Beijing’s actions in the East and South China Seas.
The Philippines and the European Union have agreed to launch a security and defense dialogue aimed at addressing emerging challenges such as cyber threats and foreign interference, Philippine Foreign Minister Enrique Manalo announced on Monday.
Voting was underway in the Philippines on Monday for a midterm election marked by a fierce and emotional rivalry between President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte, setting the stage for a high-stakes political showdown.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and US President Donald Trump spoke by phone Friday, their first conversation since Lee’s election earlier this week.
North Korea has successfully raised a 5,000-ton naval destroyer that capsized during a failed launch in May.
Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said the Simla Agreement, signed in 1972 to define the Kashmir border after the 1971 war, has lost its importance and effectiveness because of India’s unilateral moves.
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday to ease restrictions on American drones and help the industry compete with China.
A shooting at a minibus taxi rank in Cape Town, South Africa, left four people dead and three others injured early Friday, according to police.
As peace talks progress, voices from Yerevan, Tbilisi, and Baku reveal hopes, concerns, and expectations for a future shaped by trade, trust, and generational change in the South Caucasus.
A bridge collapse in the Vygonichsky district of Russia’s Bryansk region, near the Ukrainian border, caused a train derailment and a traffic accident early Sunday, killing at least seven people and leaving 30 injured, according to emergency services.
Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) has confirmed it carried out a third targeted attack against the Crimean Bridge, also known as the Kerch Bridge, early Tuesday morning, marking a new escalation in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
A strong 6.3 magnitude earthquake shook Japan’s Hokkaido prefecture early Monday, causing no reported injuries or damage, and no tsunami warning was issued, officials confirmed.
Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine ended abruptly in Istanbul on Monday, lasting just over an hour amid mounting tensions following a major Ukrainian drone strike on Russian strategic bombers and renewed pressure from the U.S. for a breakthrough.
A local dive team has solved a nearly 140-year-old maritime mystery by identifying the wreck of the SS Nantes off the coast of Devon.
More than 40 suspects have been arrested in a massive international police operation targeting a drug gang accused of smuggling cocaine into Europe using high-speed “narco-boats.”
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and US President Donald Trump spoke by phone Friday, their first conversation since Lee’s election earlier this week.
North Korea has successfully raised a 5,000-ton naval destroyer that capsized during a failed launch in May.
Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said the Simla Agreement, signed in 1972 to define the Kashmir border after the 1971 war, has lost its importance and effectiveness because of India’s unilateral moves.
South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and US President Donald Trump spoke by phone Friday, their first conversation since Lee’s election earlier this week.
North Korea has successfully raised a 5,000-ton naval destroyer that capsized during a failed launch in May.
Pakistan’s Defense Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif said the Simla Agreement, signed in 1972 to define the Kashmir border after the 1971 war, has lost its importance and effectiveness because of India’s unilateral moves.
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order Friday to ease restrictions on American drones and help the industry compete with China.
A shooting at a minibus taxi rank in Cape Town, South Africa, left four people dead and three others injured early Friday, according to police.
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